Posts Tagged marketing

Webcast Alert! Takin’ it the Street: Why Businesses, non-profits and libraries must change how they deliver service to their markets

September 15, 2009 at 3:18 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , ,

DATE Wednesday, September 30, 2009 | TIME 2:00–3:00 PM EDT
“I know that half my advertising works, I just don’t know which half.”

This might have been acceptable to department store tycoon, John Wanamaker, but businesses and libraries in today’s economy need a focused approach to marketing, one that starts with understanding the markets being served.

For years Fortune 100 companies have used sophisticated geographic information system (GIS) mapping tools and advanced database technologies to segment their markets and deliver products and services to meet specific market needs. These same powerful analytic tools that provide a detailed look at neighborhoods street-by-street are now available through libraries.

Public libraries use these tools to help small businesses and non-profit agencies find and target their markets, as well as to support the library’s own strategic, marketing, and facilities planning. Academic libraries support students, faculty and staff working on marketing and urban planning projects or PEST (Political, Economic, Social and Technological) and SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analyses.

During this webcast we’ll explore:
• What is market segmentation and what is the data behind it?
• How is market segmentation used by small businesses and non-profits to create compelling value?
• Why and how does the use of market segmentation create compelling business decisions?

Register for this FREE webcast today at www.LibraryJournal.com/businessdecision

Join our panel of experts to learn how market segmentation can help with the three most important elements of business success:
1) finding new customers
2) retaining current customers, and
3) locating a business.

PANELISTS
Gina Millsap, Executive Director, Topeka & Shawnee County (KS) Public Library. Gina leads an organization of 230 incredible employees serving a library-loving community of 173,000. She’s worked in libraries for 30+ years and received her MLS in the previous century. Her degree may be an antique, but her outlook isn’t. She’s a Library Journal 2007 Mover and Shaker and president of the Library Leadership & Management Association (LLAMA) of the American Library Association.

Alice Kavanagh, Market Segmentation Specialist, ESRI. Since joining ESRI in 2002, Alice has applied her knowledge of geographic information systems (GIS) technology to help businesses in a variety of industries use market segmentation data to solve their problems. ESRI software is used by more than 300,000 organizations worldwide.

MODERATOR
Marc Futterman, President and CEO, CIVICTechnologies. Marc is one of the nation’s leading experts on the use of market segmentation. His award-winning work to bring market segmentation to public libraries, small business patrons, and students is having a major impact on communities and economic development nationwide.
For expert information and advice, register today!
Can’t make it on September 30? No problem!
Library Journal webcasts are archived for 12 months after the live event. With your webcast registration,
enjoy the ability to access this event on-demand as often as you’d like.

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Marketing Basics online course: registration closes Monday, March 30

March 27, 2009 at 6:15 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , ,

Looking to perform better at your current job?

Hoping to diversify your skill set and give some “oomph” to your resume?

Consider RUSA’s Marketing Basics for Libraries course.

This 5-week online course teaches you the fundamentals of marketing, and also guide you through the development of a marketing plan specific to you and your library’s needs. It’s perfect for librarians in all types of library settings who are asked to market library services.

Get the full scoop on the course content and our knowledgeable instructors at the RUSA blog:

http://rusa.ala.org/blog/2009/03/26/marketing-basicssp09/

Register for the course now:

http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=eventsdist&Template=/Conference/
ConferenceList.cfm&ConferenceTypeCode=D

Discounts are available for two or more registrants from the same library or library system. Contact lmarkel@ala.org for details.

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Can Libraries Be Sold Like Soap?

February 13, 2009 at 8:22 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , ,

Traditionally, many librarians have perceived commercial marketing as a wash, because libraries have such a noble cause. You may turn that thinking around when you get turned on to social marketing, and how it can be used to promote library services and resources.

Join PALINET and Fearless Future for the entertaining and informative…

Can Libraries Be Sold Like Soap?

Monday, March 16, 2009     9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
PALINET, Philadelphia, PA

Social marketing is an area of business research and practice that uses proven market techniques to promote the public good. Library professionals of all types are encouraged to attend this workshop.

After a successful program delivered by Mary Evangeliste and Yvonne Mery of Fearless Future, at the Amigos Library Network in Dallas, TX, here’s what workshop participants are saying:

“Yvonne and Mary Evangeliste were terrific.”

“Interactive & practical!”

“Informative & great fun!”

“They brought a lot of energy to their workshop and our conference.”
To register for this exciting event, please visit:
http://www.palinet.org/ep_workshops_wsdesc.aspx?WSID=479

For more information on Fearless Future, visit their website at: http://fearless-future.com

There are still seats available for this event, but they won’t last long.
Join PALINET for this event, and make it a great day!

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Group registration means big savings for RUSA online course registration

January 15, 2009 at 10:15 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , ,

CHICAGO—Libraries and library systems interested in improving reference service delivery and bringing marketing skills to their library staff team can take advantage of discounted registration rates for groups of two or more participants for online courses offered by the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA).

Groups registering for a course will save 15 percent off the regular registration rates for their membership types. The group registration form must be submitted via fax or mail and can be downloaded from the RUSA website. Non-member registrants are encouraged to join ALA or RUSA for significant savings on this and other professional development opportunities such as ALA conferences and RUSA pre-conference events.

Individuals looking to add skills to their resume can also register for the courses online or by fax or mail. Registration deadlines, rates and complete course descriptions can be found on each course’s webpage.

The next offerings are:

The Reference Interview, Feb. 2 – March 13
This comprehensive course covers such reference interview topics as cultivating an approachable reference environment, successful questioning and listening techniques and appropriate follow-up methods. Staff of all levels at all types of libraries will find this content, presented in a multi-media format, helpful in day-to-day engagement with library patrons.

Genealogy 101, Feb. 16 – March 21
Designed for reference staff with little to no experience in genealogy, Genealogy 101 uses a case study to present tools and techniques participants can use to confidently assist patrons with family history research. A review of archival material, print reference tools and online sources is included in the curriculum.

Business Reference 101, Feb. 16 – March 13
Appropriate for librarians and library staff of all types who wish to acquire business reference expertise, Business Reference 101 will demystify such topics as SIC, NAICS codes, ROI and 10ks. Students will also have access to such proprietary business reference databases as Standard & Poor’s Net Advantage and Thomson/Gale’s Business & Company Resource Center.

Marketing Basics for Libraries, first of five classes on April 2, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. CST
Marketing Basics meets for five weekly sessions that cover marketing basics, including marketing planning and marketing research. The final product of the course will be a marketing plan that individuals will create based on their own library environment/needs.

With the exception of Marketing Basics, all RUSA online courses are asynchronous and do not have scheduled meeting times. This format offers flexibility for busy professional schedules and facilitates interaction between instructors and students with weekly assignments, discussion boards and chat sessions.

Questions about RUSA’s professional development offerings or group registrations can be e-mailed to RUSA at rusa@ala.org.

The Reference and User Services Association, a division of the American Library Association, is the foremost organization of reference and information professionals who make the connections between people and the information sources, services, and collection materials they need.

via ALA

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LJ/SLJ Webcast Event: What’s the Buzz? Word-of-Mouth Marketing for Libraries

November 4, 2008 at 6:58 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , ,

Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Time: 2–3 PM EDT

Register for this FREE webcast today at www.libraryjournal.com/ebsco
Whether you want to promote new programs or keep patrons updated on longstanding services, word-of-mouth (WOM) marketing is the ticket to build awareness in your community and get people talking about your library in positive terms. WOM offers your institution and staff a low-cost way to identify and harness social networks that can be used to spread the library’s message and service offerings.

Panelists include:

  • Peggy Barber, Library Communication Strategies Inc., Chicago, IL. Leading library word-of-mouth marketing expert Barber will discuss the traditional marketing practices versus neomarketing, and tell attendees why it is time to get passionate about “selling” your library and its services. Find out what word-of-mouth marketing is, why you should care, and start putting together an action plan!
  • Ann McDonald, Library Marketing Associate, Glen Ellyn Public Library, Glen Ellyn, IL. In 2006, Ann took on the newly created position of library marketing associate which came with no handbook, and more importantly, no budget! Using WOM techniques learned from Library Communications Strategies, McDonald will share with attendees how she was able to generate a 375% increase in the use of the library’s NoveList database through creativity and passion, and without spending a lot of money.
  • Katie Klossner, Community Relations Manager, Douglas County Libraries, Douglas County, CO. By blending word-of-mouth marketing with other strategies like social networking, push technologies, and embedding, Douglas County Libraries (DCL) have created a complete and high impact library marketing strategy. Over 80 percent of Douglas County households have at least one active library card, and the library has an approval rating among local residents of 93 percent. Klossner will review the marketing practices that have made DCL so successful in reaching the Douglas County community.

Moderator: Duncan Smith, Product Manager/Creator of NoveList.

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From Branding to Library Closures, Learn and Share at November’s Webinars

October 29, 2008 at 7:18 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , ,

WebJunction webinars provide not only a free opportunity to learn something new, but also a chance to interact with other attendees and share your own expertise. A diverse set of offerings is scheduled for November.

Are you interested in:

  • marketing your library services through the library brand,
  • extending your library service hours with “24/7″ digital tutorials,
  • learning how to build a technology team,
  • better understanding your library’s role in the community, or
  • learning why libraries close and what you can do to prevent your own library closure?

You can learn more about all these topics in WebJunction’s November lineup of free webinars.

Branding Libraries and Their Services

We are surrounded by brands in our world—visual representations of a manufactured good or some service that allows a customer/user/patron to quickly identify the product/service. If someone says, “Golden arches,” you immediately think of a certain fast food restaurant. Any business or service can brand itself, for marketing and publicity purposes. But what is a brand? How are they created? What benefits do brands offer? What are the challenges facing a branding project? Can libraries effectively brand themselves and their services? If so, how? Join Michael Leach as he answers these and other questions, while providing a solid framework and background on what brands are and how they work.

Register here: http://evanced.info/webjunction/evanced/attendance.asp?ID=1527

Go Team! Quick Tips to Help You Build a Technology Team in Your Library (MaintainIT)

Join MaintainIT’s Brenda Hough as she interviews Michelle Foster for “Go Team! Quick Tips to help you build a technology team in your library”. Michelle is IT Manager for the Boone County Public Library in Kentucky. This fast-paced and interactive session will introduce the idea of technology teams and libraries. Hear what Michelle has done, share your experiences, and think about what you might want to do in the future. Take 30 minutes out of your day to learn from the experiences of others and get something started. This is a part of the MaintainIT Cookbook webinar series where contributors to the Cookbooks share their insights, their secrets, and what you can do to get started with projects like theirs.

Register here: http://evanced.info/webjunction/evanced/attendance.asp?ID=1531

24/7 Librarianship: Reaching Patrons With Digital Tutorials

Join guest speaker Marcia Dority Baker of Schmid Law Library, University of Nebraska College of Law as she explains how libraries can use digital tutorials to reach customers around the clock. She will discuss how digital tutorials can support learning and instruction as well as provide access to information and educational resources to customers when the doors of the library are closed.

We will explore: what is a digital tutorial, how libraries can use digital tutorials, help brain-storm ideas on how all types of libraries could be creative with limited budget and staff resources, and include tips on free video software librarians could use to get started.

Register here: http://evanced.info/webjunction/evanced/eventsignup.asp?ID=1510

Rural Webinar: Your Library’s Role in Your Community

WebJunction and The Association for Rural and Small Libraries presents a free hour-long webinar focused on a topic important to the work of sustaining Rural and Small libraries. This session completes our 2008 focus on trustees and boards. Jim Connor and Pat Fisher will focus on assessing your library’s role in your community—and how to move from the fringe to the bulls-eye.

Register here: http://evanced.info/webjunction/evanced/attendance.asp?ID=1512

Why Public Libraries Close

Join Dr. Christie Koontz, of Florida State University, for an one-hour webinar where she will discuss Why Public Libraries Close, a report she co-authored based on the first systematic nationwide study on the impact of public library closures and facility location. Using staff interviews and demographics analysis using geographic information systems (GIS), the study analyzed impact on library users and potential markets. Koontz will discuss national trends identified during the period of the study as well as guidelines developed that provide recommendations for libraries to prevent closure, measure impact on patrons, and where new library facilities should be opened.

Register here: http://evanced.info/webjunction/evanced/attendance.asp?ID=1532

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RUSA Online Course Registration Ends SoonDont Miss Out on Learning Opportunities!

September 11, 2008 at 3:20 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , ,

Expand your skill set with RUSA this fall—sign up for an online course!

This fall’s courses address the reference interview, marketing your library and its services, and skills specific to business reference.

REGISTER ONLINE NOW at http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=eventsdist&Template=/Conference/ConferenceList.cfm&ConferenceTypeCode=D

Don’t delay–registration for Marketing Basics closes this Friday!

Know a friend, colleague, or staff member  who might be interested in these learning opportunities? Please forward this message to them.

•  Marketing Basics for Libraries
First course on Sept. 25, 2008, 11am-noon Central (Chicago) Time
Learn about marketing basics and how they apply within the framework of a library. Public and academic librarians and staff who are asked to market library services will benefit from this course. Participants will produce individualized marketing plans based on their own libraries’ needs.
Register online by Sept.  12.
**Note that this course meets online on specific days and times, and all students must participate. Visit the RUSA Professional Development page (link below) for the complete schedule.

•  Business Reference 101: October 13 – November 7, 2008
Explore the process of business research and learn about resources available in this area. This course provides the uninitiated or the apprehensive an overview of business reference and lays a foundation for confident handling of the topic in a professional setting.
Register online by Sept. 26.

•  Reference Interview: October 13 – November 21, 2008
Brush up on your reference interview skills and acquire methods for effectively evaluating reference services—a “must” for support staff, library technicians, and newly hired reference librarians.
Register online by Sept. 26.

REGISTER ONLINE AT http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=eventsdist&Template=/Conference/ConferenceList.cfm&ConferenceTypeCode=D

Learn more about each of these courses and download forms for fax or mail registration at the RUSA Professional Development page: http://www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaevents/professionaldevelopmentonline/prodevonline.cfm

Registration Rates: $130 for RUSA members ~ $160 for ALA members ~ $190 for non-members ~ $100 for students & retirees

Not a member? Join ALA or add RUSA to your membership today at http://www.ala.org/membership.

Questions about RUSA online professional development? Contact us at rusa@ala.org, or 312-280-4398.

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Call for Papers

May 29, 2008 at 1:22 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , ,

Seeking Submissions from U.S. Librarians for ALA Editions

The Published Librarian: Successful Professional and Personal Writing (American Library Association)

Foreword: Bob Blanchard, Adult Services Librarian, Des Plaines Public Library. Contributor to Illinois Librarians; Thinking Outside the Book: Essays for Innovative Librarians (McFarland, 2008)

Afterword: Dr. Ann Riedling, LIS Faculty, Mansfield University. Learning to Learn: A Guide to Becoming Information Literate in the 21st Century (Neal-Schuman, 2006)

Practical, concise, how-to articles. No previously published, simultaneously submitted, co-authored material. Two articles required sharing different experiences from each contributor: 1900-2100 words total; for example, one article could be 1000 words and a 900-1100 word article on another topic. Librarians with ethnic backgrounds serving diverse cultures are encouraged to share.

Editor Carol Smallwood, M.L.S., has written, co-authored, edited 19 books such as Educators as Writers for Scarecrow, Libraries Unlimited, Peter Lang, and others. Her work has appeared in English Journal, Clackamas Literary Review, The Detroit News, Poesia, and several others including anthologies. Pudding House Publications published her chapbook, 2008; Words and Images of Belonging co-edited with Aurorean editor is with an agent; a recent book is
http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/book-2.php?id=978-0-7864-3575-3

Possible topics: marketing, online publishing, where to send reviews, research skills for historical novels, using editing a library newsletter to edit books, diversity in publication, ideas from students for YA books, using tools like BIP to locate publishers for your books, storytellers turned picture book authors, blogs and author web sites, interviewing, writing groups, networking, using a technology edge, promoting your books at conferences. Using issues librarians face such as censorship in poetry, essays, memoir, short stories, columns.

Deadline July 30, 2008

Please send more than 2 topics with annotations for feedback; a sample article may be requested. Compensation: a complimentary copy, discount on additional copies. Please submit topics for consideration with a 65-70 word bio. Place LIBRARIANS/your name on the subject line to: smallwood@tm.net

Sample bio:
Suzanne Doe, a subject bibliographer at Central Michigan University, obtained her M.L.I.S. from the University of North Texas. She has been published in American Libraries, Beloit Poetry Journal, Library Trends. Her recent books include: The Mystery Woman (Random House, 2006); Adagio Sunset Candle (Poetry Press, 2008); Midwest Library Organizations (McFarland, forthcoming). She received the Kitty Maize Fiction Award, 2008. An avid skier, Suzanne organizes writing workshops for Pine Arts Council.

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“Online Marketing for Libraries” Presented by Sarah Houghton-Jan

April 7, 2008 at 2:43 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , ,

Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, 1:00 Central, noon Mountain, 11:00 a.m. Pacific, and 6:00 p.m. GMT/UTC/Zulu:

Join Sarah Houghton-Jan, the Librarian in Black blogger, in exploring how libraries can market their collections and services online. In the Web 2.0 environment, library staff need to think about outreach differently. Users spend more time online in both solitary and social endeavors. This session will cover how to find potential users online and reach out to them with the services and resources they need. Attendees will go away with a lengthy checklist of ideas to take back to their libraries to successfully create an ongoing online marketing plan. Please note: This program will last approximately 90 minutes.

Host: TAP Information Services

Online Location: OPAL Online Auditorium

Remember to check out other OPAL offerings at http://www.opal-online.org/progschrono.htm

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